BURGESS, WILLIAM M. (1820 ~ 1911). William M. Burgess, Confederate veteran, was born in Tennessee in 1820. After immigrating to Texas, he married Artemisia "Artie" Buxton McLaughlin in 1861 in Austin County. Shortly after, he joined the Confederacy. It appears he was mustered into the Texas State Troops.
On July 6, 1864, Terry's Regiment of the Texas Cavalry was organized and Burgess' company was absorbed into it. Terry's Regiment was put in the Trans-Mississippi Department and was sent to Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana and then into Arkansas. Once in Arkansas, the unit participated in several conflicts and then returned to Texas, where the unit disbanded in the spring of 1865. Other than the above unit history, little is known of Burgess' experiences during the War.
After the War, Burgess returned home to his wife and family. Throughout their marriage, he and his wife had five children: Sarah, William, Amanda, Sandra and Bell.
In 1876, Burgess and his family moved to Burleson County, where, in 1899, he applied for a Confederate Pension from the State of Texas. He was approved for a pension and continued to live in Burleson County for another five years, until he moved into the Confederate Men's Home in Austin on March 7, 1904.
Burgess remained in the Home until his death on February 14, 1911. He was buried in the Texas State Cemetery the next day.
Following his death, Burgess' wife, Artie, moved into the Confederate Woman's Home and died there on March 1, 1919.
Information taken from: Compiled Military Service Record, Civil War Soldiers and Sailor System website at www.itd.nps.gov/cwss, Confederate Pension Application # 4553, Confederate Home Roster, and descendant, Lynn Wright. |
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